LUCIANA
“Where are we?” I hissed as we ducked behind a bush.
“This is where all the guards stay. Their quarters,” Nico whispered.
“And why are we here?” Kara asked.
“Because since we entered into the city, I haven’t seen a single guard I recognize.”
Nol shifted, looking over the bush to the courtyard where the royal guard Declan used to lead milled about. It was like a compound, tall brick buildings surrounded the courtyard, windows were carved every few feet of the ivy-covered buildings.
The circular courtyard was mostly empty, the tables, chairs, and benches unoccupied, only a few guards stood conversing near the center of the courtyard.
“There could be new guards since you left,” I mused. “It’s not unheard of to add new guards.”
“And the majority of them are assisting at the service,” Zienna added.
“Nico might not recognize the guards, but I do.” Nol’s voice was quiet but sure. “They work with the Panateia, for Adreona.”
“Fuck,” I swore.
“How deep do we think she’s infiltrated the court?” Kara whispered
“Pretty fucking deep if she has replaced the guards and is now on Lorenzo’s arm.” Nico shifted from one foot to another. “We need to question one of them.”
“Are you crazy?” I swatted him on the arm.
He ignored me and continued, “We can’t risk going deeper into the palace if Adreona’s guards are stationed everywhere, but we need answers. We can’t go home empty-handed.”
“He’s right.” Kara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But how are we going to get information from them without getting caught?”
“We get one alone and Luce can use her handy little spell to make him pass out, and we can bring him with us.” Nico smiled, his eyes gleaming with mischief, as he turned his attention to me.
“You’re fucking crazy,” I muttered. But I had to give it to him, his plan might work. “How are we getting out of a city crawling with Panateia with an unconscious male?”
The wolf smiled wider. “I’ve got an idea.”
Zienna and I stood outside the guard’s courtyard, perched against the arched bricks on either side of the black iron-wrought gate.
The fashion of the Blood Court served our task well now that we no longer wanted to blend in but wanted to draw attention to ourselves. I crossed my arms over my chest, pushing up my breasts even more.
It didn’t take long before a guard focused in on us.
His light hair curled around his ears, and his green eyes sparkled as he appeared at the gate.
“What are you two ladies doing out here?” He smiled, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Zienna twirled a lock of chestnut hair around her finger. “We got lost on our way back from the service.” Zienna continued to twirl her hair, jutting out her bottom lip and fluttering her lashes. “We were hoping you’d help us find our way back home.”
“I might be able to help you out.” He stepped out of the gate and placed a hand on each of our backs, leading us away from the courtyard. “Where is it you’re trying to go?”
“Not far.” I grabbed hold of his bicep as we rounded the corner. “Our friend lives in a cabin in the woods past the palace, can you get us there?”
His brows pinched together. “The woods—yeah, I can get you there. Are you sure that’s where your friend lives?”
Zienna nodded. “Yes, I’m certain. We were there earlier today, before the ceremony, but we lost track of her afterward and couldn’t find our way back.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you found me.” He led us past the palace, across the large grassy expanse toward the woods looming in the distance.
